Whether you are a first-time coach trying to learning the best coaching techniques for your team, or a veteran coach looking to spice up your practices with different and challenging drills, there are numerous resources available for you to reach your goals and ensure success:
George Kuntz, AYSO’s National Player Development Technical Advisor, shares his eight keys to a successful practice.
P for Have a Plan - Have a topic prepared for every practice
R for Repetition - Use similar exercises throughout the year that will allow kids to see their improvement
A for Action – Activities should be dynamic and lively and versus static; inclusive instead of exclusive
C for Communication - Make sure the exercise and the rules are clearly communicated to your players
T for Timing – Know when to teach a topic and choose the best moment to make corrections during practice
I for Improvisation – Utilize and encourage creativity. Be flexible throughout practice and be open to making any new changes, if necessary
C for Concentration - Focus on technical or tactical issues with a clear constructive message
E for Execution – Expect that the players can execute at a higher level and they will